I know it’s your day, I know that my opinion is of little concern when you plan the playlist for your ‘special moment’, but for the love of god, stop playing songs about breaking up and losing love at your wedding.
Maybe I’m just too ‘close’ to my music, maybe I take it too seriously or read too much into the lyrics, but if I hear Better Man by Pearl Jam played once more at a wedding reception, I think I’ll go postal.
I mean, has anyone who plays that song on what is meant to be the happiest day of their life ever listened to what Mr Vedder is singing beyond the chorus of ‘can’t find a better man’? Because if you have, and you’re still planning to play it at your wedding, you and I can no longer be friends. The song is obviously about someone who’s in an abusive relationship and can’t find a way out. Is that really the sort of musical stamp you want to put on your nuptials?
It doesn’t stop there, crimes against music at weddings are common. So as a public service, I’ve put together a top 5 list of songs that should never be played at your wedding.
1) Pearl Jam – Better Man
It’s a great song, no doubt. One of the highlights of the Pearl Jam catalogue and a great one for sing-alongs…but it doesn’t belong on your wedding playlist. Trust me.
2) U2’s – One
The amount of times I hear this song requested at weddings makes me question if I’ve got it all wrong. Although “We’re one, but we’re not the same, we hurt each other, then we do it again” doesn’t strike me as something you want to be softly singing to your betrothed.
3) Police – Every Breath You Take
Unless you’re getting hitched to a creepy stalker, please leave this one off the DJ’s list
4) Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On
The song is about death. Death and the happiest day of your life don’t mix. Just trust me.
5) Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
This is one I hear at nearly every wedding I go to. While I have personally enjoyed a good boogie to this disco classic, it’s not one for your big day. Honestly have you ever paid attention to the words you’re belting out as you shuffle around the dancefloor? It’s a song about surviving a horrible breakup!
Written and curated by Dan Beazley. Dan is Newcastle Live’s digital content coordinator. If you would like to submit an opinion piece to the site, please email rockon@newcastlelive.com.au
